Partnership with New Zealand emphasized at air conference

  • Published
  • By Maj. Sam Highley
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  Partnership between the United States and New Zealand militaries is vital to meeting the security challenges of the Pacific region, according to the 13th Air Force commander while speaking at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Chief of Air Force Conference Sept. 23.

Lt. Gen. Chip Utterback provided a U.S. perspective at the conference in Wellington, New Zealand, which featured speakers from New Zealand, Australia, Britain and the United States. As 13th Air Force commander, General Utterback serves as the Joint Forces Air Component Commander of air, space and information operations in the U.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility, excluding the Korea theater.

The conference occurred during a time of great change for the Royal New Zealand Air Force, according to Air Vice-Marshall Graham Lintott, New Zealand's Chief of Air Force. He said the service is currently upgrading or replacing its entire operational fleet of aircraft and growing its personnel numbers by 15 percent, facts General Utterback said provide great opportunity for the U.S.-New Zealand partnership.

"As you continue your 10-year defense modernization program and we continue to recapitalize our air and space force, we in this region need to share a balanced approach taking into account not only our own capabilities but those of our partners," General Utterback said.

The general stressed the fact that interoperability--the ability to share data, speak the same tactical languages and plan in parallel--can only make both the U.S. and New Zealand militaries better.

"We simply cannot afford to meet at a disaster site landing zone for the first time and realize that your aircraft can't get fuel from my pump or that we don't have a common understanding of airspace control," General Utterback said.

Training, in the form of officer and enlisted professional military education opportunities, exchange programs and joint exercises, provides an asymmetric advantage in increasing the interoperability of the two countries, General Utterback suggested.

"As airmen, we should find those venues where we can take advantage of our natural relationship, to hone our planning skills and share our capabilities," the general said.

Improving interoperability will in turn improve the partnership between the United States and New Zealand, as well as help both countries work together to keep the Pacific region a peaceful one, General Utterback said.

"I'm here to tell you that the United States, and specifically Pacific Air Forces and 13th Air Force, are committed to our allies and partners in this region," General Utterback said. "We consider ourselves a Pacific nation, forging multiple alliances and agreements with many of the same countries that [New Zealand] considers allies. Together, our partnerships share a common goal: peace and stability in the region."

Such partnership stems from the long-standing friendship between the United States and New Zealand, the general said. He pointed to an inscription on a sea wall in Wellington, left by U.S. Marines during World War II.

"I think, today, those words still ring loud and clear across the Pacific and across our air forces," General Utterback said. "'If you need a friend, you have one.'"